Anxiety is part of everyone’s life, and in many situations, anxiety is essential for helping people avoid danger and navigate risks. However, some people experience intense periods of anxiety that are unmanageable and overwhelming. In many cases, these individuals suffer from an anxiety disorder. There are several common types of anxiety disorder, including:

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) - Generalized anxiety disorder refers to ongoing anxiety that occurs on most days over a six month period. This anxiety may cause the person to feel regularly on-edge, irritable, and tired.

• Panic disorder - This type of anxiety disorder results in panic attacks, which are short and sudden periods of heightened anxiety and fear. Panic attack episodes often result in heart palpitations, shortness of breath, shaking, and sweating. Panic attacks can occur due to a trigger event or due to a person’s ongoing worry about future panic attacks.

• Social anxiety disorder - Some people refer to social anxiety disorder as social phobia. Individuals who suffer from social anxiety disorder are extremely uneasy in social situations or in front of other people. They often feel fear that other people are judging them negatively. This extreme self-consciousness can result in people avoiding social interactions.

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)- It’s normal to go through periods of increased interest or behaviors. It is also normal to feel concerned when a loved one is sick or in unsafe conditions. Someone may describe their latest interest in a favorite film series or artist as an “obsession”. However, when pursuing obsessions and engaging in compulsive behavior come at the expense of important activities – such as relationships, work, or everyday tasks – a person may be experiencing obsessive compulsive disorder.

• In recent months, many people have experienced COVID-19 anxiety. Although COVID-19 anxiety is not a clinically recognized form of anxiety disorder, it does have unique characteristics. People with COVID-19 anxiety experience intense fear and worry about their own health and the health of others. Individuals feel extremely anxious around other people at work or in public locations, such as grocery stores. While feeling some anxiety about the virus is understandable, excessive anxiety is often unnecessary and can be extremely harmful to one’s mental health.

Anxiety disorders have a range of different causes, and many of these causes are outside of the affected person’s control. Contributing factors to anxiety disorder include a person’s genetics, brain structure, and medical conditions. Additionally, environmental factors, such as experiencing child abuse, suffering a serious injury, losing a loved one, or experiencing other trauma, can contribute to anxiety disorder.

Sometimes, people who suffer from anxiety can manage their mental wellbeing independently through stress management techniques. These techniques can involve meditating, committing to daily exercise, and limiting one’s responsibilities and schedule commitments. However, in other cases, people are unable to control their anxiety and must seek the help of behavioral health professionals.